Endoscopic Diagnosis of Chest/Lung Problems

You’ve been told you need an endoscopic procedure to diagnose a problem in your chest or lung.
This procedure lets your healthcare provider see the airway of your lungs and take a tissue
sample (biopsy) or treat a lung condition, if needed.
Bronchoscopy
A bronchoscopy lets the healthcare provider look into the airways in your lungs. This is done
using a bronchoscope. A bronchoscope is a thin, flexible, hollow, lighted tube with a small
camera that lets the provider see inside the lung. It's put through your nose or mouth, down your
throat, and into your airways. Tools can be passed down the middle of the scope.

With bronchoscopy, a flexible

scope allows the healthcare
provider to view and biopsy the
airway.

Transbronchial biopsy
This procedure is used mainly to take samples of tissue near the airway. It's done using a
bronchoscope and tiny forceps. The forceps are passed through the scope into the airway, and a
tissue sample is taken.
Endobronchial ultrasound
This is a type of bronchoscopy that looks at the lungs and the space between the lungs
(mediastinum). This is done using a flexible bronchoscope and ultrasound. An ultrasound makes
images using sound waves. These images guide the healthcare provider and let them see through
the airway walls.
Getting ready for the procedure
Before your procedure, do the following:
 • Follow any directions you're given about not eating or drinking before the procedure.
Usually, nothing to eat or drink (NPO) after midnight day of surgery.
• Follow any other instructions from your healthcare provider. You may need to have
blood tests. Follow any directions for not smoking.
• Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take. This includes over-the-
counter and prescription medicines, vitamins, herbs, and other supplements. You may
need to stop taking some of them before the procedure, especially aspirin, warfarin, or
other blood thinners. Ask your provider what medicines to stop taking before the
procedure.
• Talk with your provider about any allergies and health problems you have.
• Tell your provider if you're pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
• Tell your provider if you're breastfeeding.
• Ask the provider any question you have about the procedure, risks, or recovery.

During the procedure

You'll get medicine through an IV (intravenous) line to help you relax and sleep during the
procedure. You may also be given local anesthesia (numbing medicine) with a needle. Then a
special spray is used to numb your throat and nose or mouth. This is to help keep you
comfortable and prevent coughing during the procedure.
After the procedure
You're sent to the recovery room until the sedation wears off. This takes about 1 to 2 hours.
Once you're fully awake, you can go home. You'll need an adult family member or friend to
drive you home. You may have a cough, hoarse voice, or sore throat for 1 or 2 days. At first,
there may be a small amount of blood in the saliva and mucus that you cough up (sputum). This
is normal. It should go away after the second day.
Risks and possible complications
Possible risks include:
• Bleeding
• Infection or pneumonia
• Injury to vocal cords
• Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following:
• Large amounts of blood in sputum
• Blood in sputum after 2 days
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Fever of 100.4°F ( 38°C) or higher, or as directed by your provider
• Hoarseness that won’t go away
Symptoms that get worse, or new symptoms